As if sensing Arkz's confusion, Xiao removed his mask and explained coldly:
"The Lord has urgent matters to attend to, so he sent me here to stand guard."
"My name is Xiao, of the Yaksha clan, and I am one of the Illumineers of Liyue."
"Since you have reached a contract with the Lord, I will guard you here. Within this mine, if you call my name, I will immediately rush over."
Xiao's expression was indifferent and distant, making him seem unapproachable.
However, as a former Traveler, Arkz knew that this short, young immortal, despite appearing cold and ruthless, was actually filled with tenderness deep inside. It was just that fate had been too cruel to him.
Arkz respectfully bowed to Xiao. This was not due to Xiao's status as the Conqueror of Demons or his tragic fate, but rather out of respect for his noble character in bearing the sin and the resentment of the demon god alone for thousands of years, all to protect the people of Liyue.
"Greetings, Conqueror of Demons!"
Xiao's icy expression seemed to soften slightly. He appeared somewhat flustered, raising his hand as if to help Arkz up, but then quickly retracted it, as if he had been bitten by a venomous snake.
For millennia, the resentment of the demon god that tormented him followed him like a shadow, like an incessantly writhing venomous snake, preventing him from ever breaking free.
Approaching mortals would bring disaster upon them. Xiao knew this deeply, which was why he always stayed far from the mundane world, wandering alone in the wilderness of Liyue, guarding against the chaotic resentment of the demon god.
Xiao crossed his arms, his voice carrying a hint more warmth than when they first met.
"There is no need for such ceremony. What urgent matter required you to summon the Lord? Do you need me to relay a message?"
As a Yaksha specializing in combat, Xiao's strength was top-tier even among Liyue's many immortals. Although the resentment of the demon god tormented him, it also gave his techniques greater destructive power and lethality.
From Xiao's perspective, Arkz was only a hair's breadth away from ascending to the level of a god. He truly was an awe-inspiring junior.
It was entirely reasonable for the Lord to send him to guard the highly potential youth Arkz, helping him ascend past the threshold of godhood.
Although Arkz was only one step away from ascending, this single hurdle might normally take him several hundred years to overcome. To shorten the time for ascension, gaining enlightenment through intense battle, experiencing the great terror between life and death, was the most effective method.
Arkz took out two bottles of water of purity from his inventory space and placed them on the tea table between them.
"Conqueror of Demons, please sit. I came today because I wish to discuss a trade with the Lord."
Xiao frowned, suppressing the irritation in his heart, and sat down.
("Making a trade with the Lord? Ridiculous!")
("However, from my observations just now, he is only in his early twenties. To possess such strength at such a young age, a bit of arrogance is understandable.")
("Never mind, since he showed respect to the Lord, I will listen to what he has to say.")
Xiao coldly glanced at the water of purity on the table. Despite his internal complaints, his outward appearance remained cold and haughty, refusing to utter a single word.
Arkz smiled, unbothered.
He picked up a teacup from the table, opened one of the bottles of water of purity, and poured it into the teacup, placing a cup before Xiao and one before himself.
Strangely, the tea set on the table had been placed in this dusty mine for a long time, yet when Arkz picked up the teacup, he didn't see a speck of dust inside.
Someone had definitely been wiping and washing these teacups!
According to Xiao, Zhongli had urgent matters these past few days, so the only possibility was that Xiao had been washing the teacups.
The thought of the imposing, majestic Conqueror of Demons carefully washing a set of teacups by a stream made the corner of Arkz's mouth twitch uncontrollably.
Seeing Arkz amused just by pouring water, Xiao immediately grumbled internally, "Nerve."
Arkz raised the cup of water of purity in front of him and introduced it: "Conqueror of Demons, this is a potion I developed myself, named water of purity."
"This water of purity is said to be the legacy of a certain genius alchemist, capable of drawing out the purest part of one's power."
"I managed to restore it based on a long-lost potion formula."
("Arkz secretly thought: 'Actually, I added a bit of the System's power too.'")
"This potion is the item I wish to trade with the Lord."
After speaking, Arkz raised the water of purity in his cup and drank it all down.
Xiao carefully observed Arkz. Finding no change in his body after drinking the water of purity, doubt arose in his heart:
"Could this kid have been tricked?"
Arkz continued his sales pitch: "Conqueror of Demons, this water of purity is truly useful. I previously used it to purify a friend affected by Abyssal Power, and the effect was astonishing!!!"
Xiao suddenly interrupted: "Wait, just call me Xiao."
"You just said this water of purity can dispel the Abyssal Power within a person?"
Arkz nodded fiercely, quickly patting his chest: "Of course it's true! Even if I were an idiot, I wouldn't dare lie in front of the God of Contracts, would I!"
"Moreover, someone can vouch for me. Xiao, if you need it, I can pull them over right now."
Xiao held out his hand to stop Arkz from summoning anyone.
"No need. This matter is of great importance. I must report it to the Lord first."
Although Xiao appeared calm, his immediate action to contact Zhongli showed how deeply shocked he was by the water of purity's effect on purifying Abyssal Power.
At this moment, Zhongli, who was being dragged onto the streets by Director Hu to promote the WangSheng Funeral Parlor business due to excessive spending, received a telepathic message from Xiao.
Xiao (In Telepathic Message): "...My Lord, this is the process of events. If what Arkz said is true, this potion is of vital importance to Liyue. I request your judgment."
Zhongli glanced at Director Hu beside him, who was staring intently at him, preventing him from slacking off while handing out flyers. He sighed with a headache.
"This child, I truly cannot handle him!"
After ending the telepathic message, Xiao seemed to have found his anchor, and his tense state immediately relaxed. Only when he remembered Arkz was still there did he quickly resume his previous aloof posture.
Arkz smiled and asked: "Xiao, what did the Lord say?"
Xiao replied expressionlessly: "The Lord said he will be here shortly."
Arkz chuckled, resembling a big bad wolf luring a little white rabbit, his tone filled with temptation: "Xiao, since the Lord needs a while to get here, why don't we find some fun?"
Xiao asked suspiciously: "What fun?"
The corner of Arkz's mouth curled up, and he pointed to the cup of water of purity placed before Xiao on the table.
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